Refrigerating apparatus



Aug. 22, 1944.

W. W. WILLIAMS REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 4 SheetsfShee-b l WHL TER ld. //LL /A/WJ l ATTORNEY.

` Aug. 22, i944.

W. W. WILLIAMS REFRIGER-ATING APPARATUS Filedv Aug. 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR.

MALTE/Q (d. f//LA//IMJ ATT@ EY.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'INVENTOR f WAL 75,? M f//L L /AMJ ATTORNEY V4frigeii'tnt vapors passthrough an eliminator 52 late the flow. of it into the chilling chamber or unit of the apparatus in such a manner that a constant level of the refrigerant in the chilling chamber is maintained;

Fig. 5 is a plan elevational view, -partially in section, of a chilling unit constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view oLthe construction shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal sectional view with parts shown in elevation, of the chilling unit taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. '7, but taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, it is believed -that the refrigerating apparatus there shown can best be understoodby tracing the circulation of the various fluids therein.

The strong solution of solvent and refrigerant is removedfrom the sump I2 of an absorber I4 by a duplex pump I means (not shown). The pump I6 is preferably one of the impositive displacement type,` such as a centrifugal pump, wherein the volume of fluid pumped through it may be controlled by the back pressure on the pump. The solution is discharged from the pump through a 4conduit I8 to a float-control valve (to be hereinafter more fully described) having conduits 22 and 24 associated therewith leading to a conduit below the sump I2 and to the absorber I4, respectively, which serve to maintain a level of liquid in the valve the same as the level in the sump I2. The host-controlled valve thus regulates the rate of strong solution pumped from the absorber, and is adjusted to preventthe level of iiuid in the sump from falling below a. predetermined level, whereby cavitation of the pump is prevented.

From the float valve 28 the strong solution passes through a conduit 26, a heat exchanger 28, and a conduit 30 into the manifold 38 of a heater or generator 32. The generator comprises a steam jacket'34 having disposed therein a plurality of coils 38 fed from the manifold 38, each of which coils discharges into an inner receptacle 48 of the heater 32. The steam chamber 34 is supplied with live steam of a boiler 43, which boiler is heated by a gas or oil-burner 44. The steam passes from the steam coils 42 into a header 45 and thence through the duct 48 into the steam chamber v sate returning back to the header -48 through conduit 48. A safety valve 58 is provided for the steam chamber. This generator 32- ismore fully described in a copending application for fGenerators, Serial No. 246,030, of Glenn Ff` Zellhoefer, nled December 16, 1938, now Patent No. 2,280,210, dated April 2l, 1942.

The strong solution pumped into the manifold 38 of the heat generator 32 is passed through the coils`38 and discharged into the inner receptacle 40. yIn this receptacle, maintained at'elevated temperatures by the steam Jacket 34, the refrigerantl separates from the solvent and the reto the upper portion 54 of the generator and thence through a conduit 88 to a condenser 58. The temperature of trolled by cooling coils 88 which are supplied with water in a m er to be hereinafter more fully described.

8, driven by any suitable from the top of the chiller 14 through conduit 88 from thesteam` coils 42 34, the condenthe condenser 58 is con- The refrigerant vapors lcondensed in the con-V and conduit 88 to the outer jacket lramths heat .exchangas a liquid through conduit 82, a j

tion of the liquid refrigerant vaporizes, result-A ing in cooling, and the cold vapors and liquid refrigerant mixture passes from the valve chamber 84 through conduit 86 to the chilling chamber 14. 'Ihe liquid refrigerant passing into the chiller is maintained at a constant level in the chiller 14. by controlled addition of refrigerant thereto as regulated by means of the float-controlled valve 12. The float valve 12 is operated by the float 18 maintained at about the same level as the liquid in the chiller 14 through the equalizing lines 18 and 80.

A medium to be cooled enters chiller 14 through a conduit 19, passing through coils 82 submerged iin the liquid refrigerant and out through a conduit 8I, for use as desired. The fluid passing through the coils 82 is in heat-exchange relationship with the refrigerant in the chlller 14, andthe refrigerant is thereby caused to boil by the exchange of heat from the relatively warm uid in the coils 82 to the refrigerant. 'I'he level of liquid refrigerant in the chiller may -be adiusted as desired, but it is preferable to have it extend up above, the level of the coils 82 within the chiller through which the fluid to be cooled is circulated. The boiling of the refrigerant vapors from the body of liquid refrigerant causes a chilling of the coils 82, and the vapor escape to the upper portion of the absorber I4, wherein the refrigerant vapors are again contacted with the solvent for re-absorption and recirculation through the heat exchanger 28 and the generator 32, as hereinbefore described.

The weak solvent solution from which the refrigerant has been distilled in the heater or generator 32 drops to the bottom ofthe inner chamber 40 of the generator and passes out thereof by gravity ilow through conduit 82 into a sump 84, the sump being provided with a ve'nt 86 leadgenerator 32..

portion 84 of the Froin'the bottom of the sump 84 the weak solution passes by gravity flow through conduit 88 to the heat. exchanger 28, where the heat of the weak solution is transferred to the strong solution leaving the absorber and entering the heater in counterfiow 'arrangement on the heat exchanger. The preheating of the strong solution prior to the passage fects an economy in heater. Iirom the heat exchanger 28, the weak solution is recirculated to the absorber I4 through conduits |02, the other half of the pump I8, conduit |04, strainer |88, and conduit |88. The pump serves to maintain a constant head of solvent in'a nozzle .bank IIII through which the weak solution `is pumped into the absorber onto water-cooled coils II2. The refrigerant vae pors are re-absorbed by the weak solvent, and the solvent containing -the absorbed refrigerant vapors is then withdrawn absorber-` I4 through the sump I2 and recycled as hereinbefore described.

The coolingcils |12- are sorber I4 for the purpose of dissipatlng the heat of solution evolved when the gaseous refrigerant thereof into the heater efsteam consumption in .the

from the bottom of' the provided in the abis re-absorbed b y the solvent. The coils further function to provide a means for distributing the solvent in thin films over the surface of the interiorof the absorber so that the refrigerant may be readily absorbed by the solvent.

',I'l'ie condenser 58 is also provided with fluidcooled coils in order to c ool the gaseous refrigerant from the generator to the point of liquefaction at the relatively high pressure'in that portion of the system. It is important that the pressure on the high pressure side of the system be maintained sufficiently great to cause optimum flow of the refrigerant through the system, and further to permit the weak liquor to be forced from the bottom'of the chamber 40 in the heater. 32 back through the heat exchanger 28 and into the absorber -|4. In order to eiectthis control and to maintain the condensate at a temperature so that proper pressure differentials will be maintained, the volume of cooling fluid passing through the coil 60 of the condenser 58 is automatically regulated by valve ||4 which in turn is operated by the pressures within the condenser 58. A detail view of the valve is shown in Fig. 3 and will be hereinafter more fully described.

Fluid such as water is passed from a suitable source of supply, such as a water tower, through conduit IIS, through the .coils II2 of the absorber I4, and through conduit |.I8 to thev two-way valve ||4 The valve ||4 is pressure operated and so constructed that increased pressure of the refrigerant within the condenser 58, resulting from a warming up of the condenser during normal operation, causes the valve to operate so that an refrigerant vapors entrain the solvent 'and cariiow control valve, which is indicated generally at in Fig. 1, comprises a float chamber |30 and a flow chamber |32. The float chamber, as previously indicated, opens through conduits 22 and increased amount of cooling iiuid will pass from the conduit IIB, through conduit |20 and intoy `the cooling coils of the condenser. .The cooling effect of the iiuid within the coils of thefcondenser decreases the pressureof the refrigerant therein which has the eifect` of operating valve ||4 through the pressure line |66 in the opposite direction causing more of the water to by-pass the condenser and escape from the systeml through conduit |22. By this ymeans the temperature ,within the condenser is accurately controlled, which, in turn, controls the pressure on the weak solvent solution within the container 40 of the heater 32, thereby insuring its proper return through the heat exchanger 28 to the absorber |4.. Constant pressures and tempera-fA tures are therefore obtainable in'the condenser even though the temperature ofthe cooling iiuid may be varied over a wide range.

In the operation. of the above-described system, a small amount of solvent may be carried over by `the refrigerant from the heater 32, through the condenser 58, and into the chilling chamber 14.

In order to remove the small amounts of solvent thus carried over, a drain pipe |24 is provided in. the bottom of the chiller 14, the drain pipe having a restricted orice|25 for regulating the flow of refrigerant and solvent to the heat exchanger` This drain pipe extends through the heat ex. changer pipe 88, through which latter the liquid refrigerant passesfrom the condenser 58 to the valveA 12, The pipe |24 extendstnrough the exchanger 88 upwardly to 'a point'above the level of solvent within the chiller 14. The mixture of refrigerant and solvent 'in the pipe |24 are heated in the heat exchanger 68 by threlatively warm liquid therein supplied from the condenser' 58.

The refrigerant in the pipe 124 (the low pressure side of the. system) .is thus' caused to boil by this increased temperature, and the escaping -24 into the sump and the upper portion of the absorber, respectively, whereby the liquid level inthe float chamber |30 is maintained at a level corresponding to the level in the sump. kA float |34 is shown in full lines in the drawings in a middle position, which is substantially the normal position thereof and varies therefrom as indicatedby the dotted-line position thereof. The oat |34 is secured to a float rod |38, which latter extends from the float chamber |30` through a suitable bellows |38 for fixed connection to a U-shaped member |40, the member |40 slidably engaging apin |42 positioned on one end of a valve stem |44. A pair of opposed arms |4| (see Fig. 2a) extend from the U-shaped member' |40 for pivotal engagement with co-operating arms |43 extending from a flange |45. The flange |45,vl

in. turn, is secured to a partition |41, which latter separates the float andl i'low chambers |30 and |32, respectively. The balanced valve is mounted on the opposite end of the valve stem |44. The

valve stem'has a pair of valve members |48 and l |48 adapted to fit tightly against seats bounding the openings |50 and |52 positioned in the oppo,

site sides of a; chamber |54 within the solution and |48 .andthe openings |50 and |52, respecitively,-equfal"pressure being` exerted in opposite l directions on the balanced valve to .produce an' equalizing eiect so that variations in pressure.

in the system'exerted bythe pump will not affect the positioning 4of the valve. It will be clear. from the above description that the opening of the valve and the subsequentl discharge of solution through the valve depend upon the positioning of the iioat |34 within the float chamber. When the liquid level in the sump I2 is high, then the liquid level in the float chamber |30 is also high and the iioat l|34 is raised. When .the float is raised, it pivots upwardly, moving the valve stem |44 downwardly.

thereby removing 'the' valve members furtherf.

from their respective seats bounding the openmgslsn and |52, as shown by the.' dotted-ame.'

position in the drawings. 'I'he solution may'then be pumped at a maximum 'rate from the sump through the valve and to the heat exchanger.

When therliquid level in the sump I2 drops'. the float |34 falls, as indicated by the dotted lines in the drawings, and the valve members |48 and |48 are raised, thus throttling the iiow of solution through the ,valve' to the heat'exchanger 2l. When the level of solution in the valve prevents cavitation of the pump, thus eliminating any tendency for the pump to become noisy and ineflicient.

In order to control the amount of water flowing through the condenser 58, as has been hereinabove indicated, the two-way valve indicated generally at ||'4 in Fig. 1 has been provided. This valve is automatically operated by the uid pressure in the condenser 58, and is shown in detail in Fig. 3 of the drawings to which reference will now be had. The valve construction comprises a pressure chamber |58 within a housing |51, the housing also containing a pressure-operated mechanism including a bellows |58, a

plunger |80, a compression spring |82, and a guide spring |84.

The pressure chamber |56 is in direct connection with the vapor chamber of the condenser 58 by means of the pressure conduit |86. Thus, when pressure is applied through the conduit 88, the plunger |80 is pushed upwardly against the compression of spring |82 to extend out ol the pressure chamber a greater distance. As

shown in Fig. 3, the housing IEiI for the pressure chamber |58 is secured tothe outside of a conduit |61 within which are pivoted a pair of butteriiy valves 88 and |10. As shown, these assumes i v lated, me temperature is controued 1n the condenser by the rate at which the cooling fluid is passed therethrough. The two-way valve ||4 may be adjusted so that when the pressure becomes greater than the desired optimum, the valve opens and valve |88 closes, whereby a portionof the cooling water is passed through the conduit |20 to the condenser coils 80, automatically cutting down the amount of cooling uid -by-passing the condenser through the conduit |22. If the condenser gets too cold. the pressure in the chamber |58.wi1l be reduced and the amount of iluid by-passing the condenser will be increased.

It will be clear from the above description of the arrangement and operation of the valve ||4 that the temperature and pressures within the condenser will always be held at a constant value, regardless of the fluctuations 'in the temperature of the cooling iluid entering from the absorber through the conduit |l8. If the iiuld is relatively cold, only small amounts will be passed through the condenser, while if it is comparatively warm, larger amounts will be passed therethrough and only smaller. amounts will be by-passed.

A float valve for regulating the amount vof liquid refrigerant iiowing into the chiller 14 from the condenser 58 is specifically shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and is an example of a valve indicated generally at 13 in Fig. lithereof. It is also shown in combination with a pa'rticular type of chiller unit in' Figs. 5, 6, and 8. This valve comprises a float chamber |80 containing the butterfly valves are reciprocably secured to each other by a rod |12 which extends through holes positioned in projections located on the ends of each of the butterfly valves so that when one is operated, the other one will be also. The length of the rod |12 is so adjusted that the valve |68 is brought into the full open position when the valve |18 is in the full closed position, and vice versa.

The valves |88 and |10 are operated by the plunger by means of a lever |14 pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the outside ol' the conduit |81. The upper end of the plunger |88, which extends outwardly of a packing gland pivoted.

|8|, is pivotally secured to a central portion of the lever |14, the free end oithe lever having a slot |18 positioned therein which'is adapted to receive the end of a crank bar |18. The crank bar |18 is mounted on the same shaft as, and rotates with, the butteriiy valve |88, whereby raising of the crank bar- |18 from the position. shown in the drawings will close the butterfly float 18 and the equalizing conduits 1 8 and 80 leading to the chiller 14 for maintaining the desired liquid level within the float chamber |80. The float 18. is mounted on a rod |82, the rod being pivoted on a pin |84. A bellows |88 serves to prevent iiuid leakage through an opening in a partition |88, through which opening the rod |82 extends, and on the other side of which it is The pivotal pm m of the rod m 1s within the expansion chamber 84 which contains the needle valve 12, t-he valve serving to regulate the amount of liquid refrigerant introduced into the expansion chamber 84 from the conduit 18, as hereinbefore described. The conduit 88 provides passage for the cold mixture of liquid and vaporous refrigerant from the expansion chamber 84 to the chilling chamber 14. Here, again, the position of the iioat 18, which depends upon the liquid level within the chiller 14, regulates the amount of liquid refrigerant introduced into the expansion chamber 84 through the valve 12. When the level of liquid refrigerant in the chiller 14 rises above 'a predetermined plane, the valve closes to restrict the further introduction of `liquid into the chiller.

valve |88. From the above, it is clear that, when the pressure is increased within the pressure.

chamber |58, the plunger |80 is raised, which in turn pivots thelever |14 upwardly, causing the butterfly valve |88 to close and the butter-- ily'valve |10 to open; Contrariwise, when the pressure in the pressure chamber |88 drops, thc

l'eVelSe Occurs.

As hereinabove explained, it is desirable that an optimum pressure be maintained within the condenser 58 in orderto maintain proper pressure dierentials in the system and to insure the return of the weak solvent from the inner chambery 40 of the heater 82 back tothe absorber |4. In order that this pressure may be regu- A means ls provided for regulating the operatlng level within the chamber to actuate the valve 12. The means includes a rod |80 pivotally mounted through a connecting plate |82 to the pivoted end of the float rod |82'. The end of the rod |80 is .slidably engaged with a guide means |84 attachedto a beilows |88, the former having a collar |88 positioned thereon. `The rodl |80 also has a collar 280, and between the two collars a compressible spring Nils-positioned. The end of the housing o! the ow'chamber.

adjacent the bellows I 88 is provided with a rotatable member 284 `having a. gripping means 208 attached thereto andl separated from the chamber by means ot a stationary plate 281. As-

socia'ted with the rotatable member .284 is a l fer surface screw 200 whichis adapted to be screwed into the bellows ISI through the plate -201 when the member 204 is rotated, whereby pressure is exerted onl the guide means |94 and the spring 202 is compressed between the collars 200 and |30. Increased pressure on the collar 2'00 by the spring 202 makes more diilicult the rise of the oat in the oat chamber |80, thereby iniluenclng the positioning of the valve 12 when the level of the uid within the chilling chamber 14 is at a predeterminedheight. A'valve has thus been provided-which is adapted readily intake side of the' pump, and the oat for op.

to control the amount of refrigerant introduced into the chilling chamber and which is further capable of ready adjustment.

In accordance withK 'one embodiment of this invention; a chilling chamber having the structure shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, of the drawings, may be employed. -It may bevsubstituted for the one shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

The chamber comprises a vertical shell 2I0 having a plurality of pancake coils 2|2 positioned therein through each of which water or other iluid'to be chilled is passed. The opposite endsof the pancake coils 2 I2 are attached to suitable manifolds 2M and 2l6, respectively, each of which is in turn secured to an inlet pipe 2I8 and an outlet pipe 220 for the iiuid t b e chilled. Immediately above the pancake coils 2I2 within the shell 2I0 is positioned a large baille plate 222 which serves, in effect, as an eliminator and prevents gaseous refrigerant from entraining unvaporized refrigerant and from carrying it back to the absorber through .the vapor return conduit 90. In the modification shown in Figs. -5 through' 8, the heat exchanger 68 and the inner pipe |24V (described above in connection with Fig. l) extend in the form of a spiral helix around the outside of the chiller shell. The chiller and the float-operated expansion valve are connected as indicated in the drawings Aand in the same manner as previously described in connection vwith Figs. 1 and 4. Y

A chiller unit has thus been provided which may be mounted in series with others, and because of the fact that it is'flat on the bottom -and top' and all conduits extend through the side walls, a number of them may be stacked one upon another. These chiller units are therefore readily interchangeable and as many may be used as desired, depending upon'the capacity of the particular refrigerating apparatus and the amount of cooling that is required. The vertical shell permits a maximum amount of heat transvaporinemefiemt mei-ein.

of course, that the invention is not to`be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made,

between the discharge side of the pump and the heat exchanger to maintain a head of solution I over the intake side of the pump whereby cavita tion of the pump is prevented.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the absorber is provided with a sum'p for collecting the solution andmeans connecting the sump to the erating the valve for controlling the circulation of solutionvfrom the pump to the heat exchanger is mounted in a chamber, the bottom' of which is connected to the sump and so arranged that the level of the solution in the sump controls the operation of the flow regulator valve;

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the flow regulator includes a casing divided into two comlevel of the solution to the absorber above thel level of the solution therein.

4. In an absorption type refrigerating apparatus' for a. low pressure refrigerant having an f absorber provided with a sump for collecting the solution, aheater, and a heat exchanger for di- 1 recting the solution .to the heater and returning the solvent to the absorber, in combination Wit a centrifugal circulating pump and a flow regulator, said pump having itsinta'ke connected to the bottom of said sump, said ow regulator including a casing divided into two compartments,

one compartment being connected to the discharge of the pump and mounting a. float-operated valve through which the solution passes on its way to' the heat exchanger and the other compartment mounting a. iloat for opening and closing said valve, means connecting the under side Vum head of liquid or unand it is contemplated, therefore, by theap- `1 pended claims, to cover any such modications as fall within. thevtrue spirit and scope of this,

invention.-

I claim: I v 1'. In an absorption type refrigerating apparatus employing a low pressure refrigerant and including an absorber, a heat exchanger, a heater,

1 a condenser, anda cooling coil, the provision of a centrifugal circulating pump interposed between the absorber and heat exchanger to circulate the solution from the absorber through the heat exchanger to the heater, and a iiow regulator including a oat-operated valve controlled by the of said other compartment to the sump, and means connecting the upper side of said other compmtment to the interior of the absorber and so arranged that ther change in level of the solu-- tion inthe sump actuates the iioat'to voperate the valve to regulate the ow therethrough to main-'- tain a head of'solution over the intake side of the -pump whereby 'cavitation -of thee'pump is prevented. i i

5. In an absorption -type refrigerating apparatus of the character described including an absorber, 'a heater, a condenser, anda cooler, the" provision of an impositiva displacement circulating pump interposed between the absorber and the heater to circulate the solution from the' absorber to the heater, and a ilow regulator includ.

ing a valve controlled by the level in the absorber interposed between the discharge side of the pump and the heater to maintain a head of solution over l the intake side of the pump.- v

' 6. 'I'he apparatus of claim 5.in which the valve is of the balanced type, is naat-operated, and is.

substantially unaiiected by variations in pressure in the system.'

7. In an absorption type refrigerating appal ratus, the combination of an absorber, a heater,

an impositive displacement pump for withdraw- 'ing asolution from. the bottom of said absorber and dischargingdt to said heater, and a valveA interposed between said pump and said heater being controlled bythe levell in the absorber for regulating the Withdrawalof said solution from intake side of the pump is always maintained.

8; The apparatus of claim 7 in which the valve is 'of the balanced type, is float-operated, and is substantially unailectedby variations in pressure in the system. I l

9. In an absorption type refrigerating apparatus of the character described including an absorber, a heater, and an impositive displacement pump for circulating a solution from said absorber to said heater, the combination of a flow regulator associated with the discharge side of said pump, said flow regulator being controlled by the level of the solution maintained in said absorber whereby ahead-of solution is maintained over the intake side of said pump whereby cavitation of the pump is prevented.

l0. In an absorption type refrigerating apparatus of the character described including an absorber, a heater, and an impositive displacement pump for circulating a solution from said absorber to said heater and interposed therebetween, the combination of a flow regulator associated with the discharge side of said pump, said flow regusaid absorber whereby a head of solution over the lator comprising a float-operated valve responsive to the liquid level of the solution in said absorber whereby the valve opens when the level rises and the valve closes when the level fallswhereby a head of solution is always maintained over the intake side of the pump.

11. In an absorption type refrgerating appa- Y ratus of the character described including an absorber, a heater, and an impositive displacement pump for circulating a solution from said absorber to said heater and interposed therebetween, the combination of a flow regulator asso'- ciated with the discharge side of said pump, said ilow regulator comprising a. valve of the balanced type vwhich is substantially unaffected by variations in prsure thereon and a float -for operating said valve, said oat being responsive to variations in the liquid level of the solution in said absorber whereby the flow of solution from the discharge side of said pump is regulated to maintain a head over the intake side oi' the pump thereby preventing cavitation of the pump.

WALTER W. WILLIAMS. 

